Portales, NM – April 17, 2025 – Eastern New Mexico University will unveil a new mural titled "Answering the Call" designed by ENMU Alumnus Jacob Lee on Thursday, April 24 at 5 p.m. in the College of Business parking lot by the new ENMU fitness court.
"We are honored to have a member of our Greyhound family share his art and talent with us. His journey to his degrees from ENMU is unique but shares similarities with so many of our current students and alumni," said James Johnston, ENMU Chancellor. "I know our campus and community will find inspiration and beauty in his work."
The event begins at 4 p.m. and will include food and drinks, with a presentation at 5 p.m. featuring an unveiling of the new mural.
The mural draws upon local symbolism and personal meaning, celebrating the high plains' spirit and the resilience of those who call it home. According to Jacob Lee, the imagery in "Answering the Call" includes:
- Flowers – Drought-resistant yet blooming, they represent how beauty and growth can emerge even through hardship.
- The Mammoth – A nod to ancient fossils discovered in the region, symbolizing the immense challenges we face and overcome.
- The Water Tower – A symbol of life and hope, it stands tall like the students and community it serves.
- Stars – Represent the future, reminding us to keep moving forward and innovating.
- Background Design – Inspired by the grey hills weaving pattern of the Navajo people, reflecting resilience, heritage, and strength.
- Green and Silver – ENMU’s colors tie it all together, enduring and timeless.
"In moments when giving up feels like the most comfortable option, a greyhound reminds us to keep running," said Jacob Lee, mural artist. "Every element in this mural embodies perseverance—the spirit of enduring life’s race, no matter how grueling. This is a visual call to push forward and answer that call."
This will be the fifth mural on the campus of Eastern New Mexico University, joining the institution's long-standing history of public art. Currently, ENMU has two separate murals in the historic Administration Building, including Lloyd Moylan's tempera on plaster mural of "The 12th Chapter of Ecclesiastes," painted shortly after the founding of the University in 1937. Additional murals on campus are featured in the Golden Student Success Center (GSSC) and the Art and Anthropology Building (AA).
"Public art on university campuses, especially in smaller communities with limited access to museums or galleries, fosters cultural enrichment, sparks dialogue, and makes the arts accessible to all," said Bryan Hahn, Curator of the University Art Collection. "It transforms shared spaces into sources of inspiration, reflection, and learning for students and the broader community. We are proud of our longstanding commitment at ENMU to having a strong presence of art on campus and across campus to experience it."
For more information on ENMU public works of art, contact the ENMU Runnels Gallery and University Art Collection at enmu.edu/RunnelsGallery.
